Shohei Ohtani could have easily been wearing a Toronto Blue Jays uniform this season. The two-way superstar came very close to joining the team before choosing the Los Angeles Dodgers instead.
That decision now makes things even more dramatic, because the Blue Jays are facing the Dodgers in the World Series, which starts Friday night at Toronto’s Rogers Centre. Ohtani will be the first batter of the series, leading off for Los Angeles.
In recent days, stories have surfaced about just how close Ohtani was to signing with Toronto. The Blue Jays reportedly went all out during free agency, even sending gifts for Ohtani’s dog, Decoy. It’s a reminder of how small details can make the difference between winning and losing a superstar player.
Both the Dodgers and Blue Jays made huge contract offers, 10 years for 700 million dollars, with heavy use of deferred payments. According to USA Today, money wasn’t what decided it. The real reason came down to location and comfort.
Ohtani had spent his entire Major League career with the Los Angeles Angels and didn’t want to leave Southern California. By joining the Dodgers, he could stay close to home, join one of baseball’s most successful teams, and avoid a big move to Canada.
The Dodgers also offered a proven track record. They won the World Series in 2020 and have consistently been among the top teams in the National League. Toronto, on the other hand, hadn’t reached the World Series since 1993.
Ohtani’s agent, Nez Balelo, called the deal “a unique, historic contract for a unique, historic player.” He said Ohtani was thrilled to join the Dodgers and structured his deal to show commitment to long-term success.
When Ohtani announced his decision on Instagram, he didn’t say much about why he chose L.A. Instead, he focused on his goals: “I pledge to always do what’s best for the team and give it my all to be the best version of myself,” he wrote.
Reports this week reveal that the Blue Jays came closer than anyone realized to signing him. But Ohtani ultimately stayed in California, and he already has a championship ring to prove it was the right move.
Now, as the Dodgers and Blue Jays face off in the World Series, the team that nearly landed him will have to try and stop the player who slipped away.
